In a move clearly intended by the Obama Administration to suppress the acquisition, ownership and use of AR-15s and other .223 caliber general purpose rifles, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives unexpectedly announced today that it intends to ban commonplace M855 ball ammunition as “armor piercing ammunition.” The decision continues Obama’s use of his executive authority to impose gun control restrictions and bypass Congress.

By way of background, federal law imposed in 1986 prohibits the manufacture, importation, and sale by licensed manufacturers or importers, but not possession, of “a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely . . . from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium.” Because there are handguns capable of firing M855, it “may be used in a handgun.” It does not, however, have a core made of the metals listed in the law; rather, it has a traditional lead core with a steel tip, and therefore should never have been considered “armor piercing.” Nonetheless, BATFE previously declared M855 to be “armor piercing ammunition,” but granted it an exemption as a projectile “primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes.”

Now, however, BATFE says that it will henceforth grant the “sporting purposes” exception to only two categories of projectiles:

Category I: .22 Caliber Projectiles
A .22 caliber projectile that otherwise would be classified as armor piercing ammunition under 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(17)(B) will be considered to be “primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes” under section 921(a)(17)(C) if the projectile weighs 40 grains or less AND is loaded into a rimfire cartridge.

Category II: All Other Caliber Projectiles
Except as provided in Category I (.22 caliber rimfire), projectiles that otherwise would be classified as armor piercing ammunition will be presumed to be “primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes” under section 921(a)(17)(C) if the projectile is loaded into a cartridge for which the only handgun that is readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade is a single shot handgun. ATF nevertheless retains the discretion to deny any application for a “sporting purposes” exemption if substantial evidence exists that the ammunition is not primarily intended for such purposes.

BATFE is accepting comments until March 16, 2015 on this indefensible attempt to disrupt ammunition for the most popular rifle in America. Check back early next week for a more in-depth analysis of this “framework” and details on how you can submit comments.

HOW TO COMMENT:How to comment – from the BATFE
ATF will carefully consider all comments, as appropriate, received on or before March 16, 2015, and will give comments received after that date the same consideration if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given except as to comments received on or before March 16, 2015. ATF will not acknowledge receipt of comments. Submit comments in any of three ways (but do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method):

BATFE is accepting comments until March 16, 2015 on this indefensible attempt to disrupt ammunition for the most popular rifle in America. Check back early next week for a more in-depth analysis of this “framework” and details on how you can submit comments.

It is important to note that only projectiles that meet the statutory definition of "armor piercing" – i.e., those made out of the specific listed materials that may be used in a handgun – are subject to the statutory restrictions. As a result, manufacturers are, and will continue to be, free to manufacture projectiles from non-restricted materials, completely independent of the application of this framework or any exemptions.

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This (and the recent reversal of the Sig Arm Brace) leads me more to believe that the ATF are trying to regulate pistols that fire rifle calibers...this seems like G3 pistols, AK pistols and AR pistols will be effected by this "armor piercing" clause...not just >40gr .223/5.56 bullets.

These people are smart. They realize all they need to do is something fairly minor (albeit stupid) and it will send gun owners clamoring all over each other to stockpile ammo. The sad thing is that the government doesn't need to ban anything. All they need is a well placed whisper and gun owners will go back to being each other's own worst enemy. The ammo shortages that have plagued us for the last several years will rear their nasty little heads again.

For the record, I don't agree with this move by this administration, nor have I agreed with any of their other anti-2nd amendment moves. But sadly, they seem to realize that they don't have to actually ban anything to accomplish their goals.

HOW TO COMMENT:How to comment – from the BATFE
ATF will carefully consider all comments, as appropriate, received on or before March 16, 2015, and will give comments received after that date the same consideration if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given except as to comments received on or before March 16, 2015. ATF will not acknowledge receipt of comments. Submit comments in any of three ways (but do not submit the same comments multiple times or by more than one method):

These people are smart. They realize all they need to do is something fairly minor (albeit stupid) and it will send gun owners clamoring all over each other to stockpile ammo. The sad thing is that the government doesn't need to ban anything. All they need is a well placed whisper and gun owners will go back to being each other's own worst enemy. The ammo shortages that have plagued us for the last several years will rear their nasty little heads again.

For the record, I don't agree with this move by this administration, nor have I agreed with any of their other anti-2nd amendment moves. But sadly, they seem to realize that they don't have to actually ban anything to accomplish their goals.

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Yep. I saw prices on line last night for $0.30 cents a round, now there is nothing less then $0.40. I imagine by the end of the day we will be closer to $0.50 if not worse...

This is a real drag. I shoot a lot of 62gr stuff. I much prefer it to 55 gr ball. I went looking this morning and already there is little federal available. I found some import M855 and bought a few cases but had to pay 20% more than I have been( .40/rd). I fear that even as we speak the days of .33-.35 m855 are over for good. I bet within a week there will be none to be had and I doubt that it wil be back on the shelf before the ban takes effect (if it passes)

Yeah I checked the online prices last night, and I could find a good amount of it for 30 cents a round shipped, now it isn't below 40 cents a round plus shipping. I wouldn't be to surprised if we see it up over 50 cents a round real soon.

The citizens governing themselves is different than the elite governing the citizens to control them. This is a blatant attempt to circumvent the 2A. You can have the gun, but without ammo (this is just the first step) it is an expensive club.

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